Topic > Porphyria's Lover and the Psychoanalytic Theory of Sigmund Freud

The protagonists of most of Robert Browning's monologues are psychologically twisted individuals, and Porphyria's Lover is probably the one with a psychoanalytic perspective. This essay attempts to discuss and apply Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory to the poem. To begin with, there is a stark contrast in the poem between the internal and external environments of the cottage. This contrast is a reflection of the duality of the human mind: the human mind is what it is because of its duality. Duality, in this case, means the ability to discern reality using opposites and this is exactly what the mind does, and Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory recognizes this fact. Although the elements of the outside environment of the cottage are mostly lively and lively, the two lovebirds choose to revive their love in the warmth inside the cottage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Sigmund Freud, as the originator of psychoanalytic theory, suggests that almost all human desires reside in the unconscious. The unconscious also serves as a reservoir of thoughts and all impulses that fall outside the realms of awareness. According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the unconscious mind cannot be manipulated and personality and behavior are largely shaped by childhood experiences. Freud's idea of ​​the unconscious mind manifests itself in the Lover of Porphyria. By virtue of being a work of art, the poem is open to different interpretations and could be interpreted as a gradual transition from psychotic to neurotic behavior. In the first part the poet offers an objective description of Porphyria. He makes a careful and conscious choice of the words he uses to describe Porphyria. He uses words like "kneeled," "slipped," "bear," and "pink" to describe the woman's actions. There is the interaction between Id, Ego and Superego in the mind of the male lover. Id, Ego and Superego are the three interacting agents in the psychic apparatus described by Sigmund Freud in his theory. The id is a constituent of the unconscious mind and plays the role of guide of human instinct while the superego manifests itself unconsciously through the application of parental and social rules and norms. The ego is the part of the id that has been changed due to the influence of the outside world. The ego is rational and serves to deny both the id and the superego. There is this moment where the male lover's repressed sexual desires could have been consummated, but due to his insecurities, he chose to wrap his hair around her neck, strangling her in the process. This violent act of the male lover exemplifies the triumph of the id over the superego, which is moralistic, and the ego, which is realistic. The male lover has the immense desire to possess Porphyria, even in death. This is shown where he kills Porphyria after realizing that she is ultimately destined to succumb to social pressures. Doubt is the result of the reworking of the Superego in the mind of the male lover. She has a domineering nature and this makes it difficult for Porphyria to exercise self-control. The ironic twist in the protagonist's character is what justifies Browning's dramatic monologue. The fantasies of the speaker in the poem had stretched to a point of no return. His ensuing actions as a result of the extended fantasy are manifestations of an extremely ruthless id that values ​​neither rule nor morality. Porphyria's lover also shows that divine union is the intrinsic desire of all human beings, and is immortalized in the phrase: "And give yourself to me forever." After Porphyria's death, the protagonist remains psychologically connected and attached.